Eastern Corridor

The Ohio Department of Transportation has reportedly dropped plans to reroute a highway in eastern Hamilton County.

Under one possible aspect of the Eastern Corridor plan, State Route 32 would have been rebuilt and shifted to run through Mariemont. But following a closed-door meeting today, commissioner Todd Portune says ODOT is backing away from that.

Seasonal flooding comes as no surprise to Tristate officials, who have ordered a handful of road closures, and are preparing to close more as the Ohio River rises. And the flooding has shined a spotlight on the relative isolation of a pair of Hamilton County communities.

River levels around Hamilton County are already high, and with more rain today and tomorrow, the sheriff's office and county engineer are preparing to close more roads. Parts of Four Mile, Eight Mile, Debolt and Kellogg had water standing on them earlier this week.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is holding three meetings this week to provide updates on the development of Greater Cincinnati's first commuter rail line. ODOT will also be gathering input from the public about the the Oasis Rail Transit project.

Mercy Health West Hospital will open this fall in Green Township. When plans for the hospital were announced, some residents voiced their opposition. It was a classic NIMBY fight.

In Greater Cincinnati and in every other community, there is a history of neighbors questioning or opposing projects they might support in general, but “not in my backyard”. Often the concerns raised by neighbors lead to compromises that can be advantageous for all concerned.